The Geoffrey Atkinson Collection of Manuscript Letters
History of the Collection
In 1969, Geoff Atkinson, then a Lecturer in the English Department at UNE, came into possession of some original letters by British and American writers to A T (later Sir Arthur) Quiller-Couch (“Q”) (1863–1944) and William Archer, journalist and theatre critic (1856–1924).
The letters to Quiller-Couch seem to have been written for three main reasons: friendships he made as a young man; in relation to his position as a critic; and his work as an anthologist. The letters include those from famous literary figures including Thomas Hardy, W B Yeats, George Moore, Henry James, Joseph Conrad, Rupert Brooke, and A E George Russell.
Geoff Atkinson donated the letters to the Library in 1995.
Geoff Atkinson published some of the letters in journals such as Thomas Hardy Year Book, Review of English Studies, Ariel, Etudes Anglaises, and Notes and Queries. In addition, he displayed the letters and delivered papers at conferences. In these articles he provided carefully researched commentaries. The articles show fascinating aspects of a literary life. These include Quiller-Couch′s comparison of George Moore′s Esther Waters to Thomas Hardy′s Tess of the D'Urbervilles, his persistence in getting permissions for the best contemporary poets for his anthologies, and his early recognition of Irish writers like Yeats, Russell and Katharine Hinkson.
The collection contains the letters (either handwritten originals or photocopies) arranged in folders named by writer. Every piece is itemised in the order received.
Because much of the accompanying material (by Geoff Atkinson) in the bulkier folders was duplicated, the cleanest copies have been selected for the files in the main drawer (which are shown to researchers). For example, his transcriptions of the letters are not included in the main file if an offprint of the article he eventually published was available. All the material given was kept, however, and anything left in the original folders in the second drawer may be shown to a researcher working on a particular author if it is requested.
The contents of the main files have been renumbered to reflect chronological order.
Categories of items
Most letters are to Quiller-Couch. The ones in the Pinero folder are to William Archer.
The Collection consists of the following categories of material:- Transcriptions of the letters in Geoffrey Atkinson’s handwriting (not usually included in the main files).
- Drafts and/or offprints or photocopies of the articles he published, incorporating, and commenting on, the letters.
- Correspondence between Geoffrey Atkinson and holders of the copyright of the letters, and with journal editors.
- Photocopies of reviews by Quiller-Couch in The Speaker, and of other sources, relevant to Geoffrey Atkinson's articles on the letters.
- Cards of printed explanations, or photos, from the displays Geoffrey Atkinson mounted of the letters. (Not included in the main files.)
- Newspaper clippings of reviews of plays on in London while Geoffrey Atkinson was on study leave. (Not included in the main files.)
- Personal letters of Geoffrey Atkinson’s. (Not included in the main files.)
- A draft of Geoffrey Atkinson’s application for a senior lectureship here, referring to his acquisition of the letters and proposed publication. (Not included in the main files.)
- Working notes by Geoffrey Atkinson and a research assistant.
- Some of Quiller-Couch’s lectures (on Shakespeare, Joan of Arc and other subjects) in draft or typescript.
Searching the Collection
The collection is indexed on correspondents’ surnames. This index can be accessed online.
Access to the Collection
The Atkinson Collection is held in the Karl Schmude Special Collections Room on the Ground Floor of Dixson Library.
Researchers may request retrieval of individual items from the Collection in advance using the Closed Collection Retrieval Request form. Items requested by 2.00 PM, Monday to Friday are available for use at the Service Desk by 3.00 PM on the same day (excluding Public Holidays). Items required on weekends must be requested before 2.00 PM the preceding Friday.
Individuals may copy supplied items from the Collection for their own use in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act.
Researchers seeking direct access to the Collection should first read the relevant Conditions for Direct Access. Applications for direct access to study in Karl Schmude Special Collections Room should be made by completing the Application to Use a Special Collection form and then mailing the completed form to the Curator of the Collection, Celia Munro.